AN ANTIQUES dealer from Basingstoke is warning people to beware of fake gold jewellery that he says is in plentiful supply across the town.

Alan Stone, manager of The Squirrels antique shop, in New Street, has seen a marked increase in the number of local people coming into his shop wanting to sell rings, bracelets and chains.

However, on closer inspection, it soon becomes apparent that the jewellery is in fact just brass with a gold-coloured finish.

"I can tell straight away," explained Mr Stone. "But lots of the jewellery has fake 18-carat markings that could fool people."

Mr Stone believes that the fake gold is largely being brought in by Romanian refugees and other eastern Europeans that have come to the UK.

"Some of them even come to me direct trying to sell the jewellery, but most of the time it is local people who have bought pieces from people on the street," he said.

Mr Stone told The Gazette he has spoken to the police about the situation, but he readily admits that it is hard to catch people actually selling the items on the street.

His advice would be not to buy any jewellery from people on the street and that if it seems far too cheap, then it probably isn't genuine.

Phil Thomas, from Hampshire County Council's Trading Standards, said: "Buyers should be very wary of any goods sold by itinerant street sellers - they are often counterfeit or fake products."

He added: "It is best to spend a little more and buy from a reputable retailer. Anyone who falls victim to a street seller should ring their local trading standards service."

Katie Wilson, media and corporate communications officer for the north and east Hampshire operational command unit, confirmed that police recently received a report of four women trying to sell fake gold. Anyone who has been sold fake gold or has any information can contact Basingstoke police station on 0845 045 4545.